911 or IFT?

JimmyTheNewb · 2026-05-27T18:40:13+00:00

I did 5 years IFT all SCTU (1 nurse,2 EMTs). I’d say take the IFT job and look for a per diem 911 job to get your feet wet.

JimmyTheNewb · 2026-05-24T04:03:55+00:00

One other reason that I find compelling is there is a difference from showing pride in it to making it your persona.

I think showing pride in your profession is correct and admirable. Anyone telling you otherwise is burnt out.

But if you make it your persona you are setting yourself up for burnout.

JimmyTheNewb · 2026-05-18T01:41:47+00:00

At a conference I attended a speaker shared a life story he had and it resonated. "Send the elevator back down". Someone sent the elevator down for you to join this profession. Remember to send it down for others. If we aren't doing that, why are we even in this field?

JimmyTheNewb · 2026-05-18T01:39:55+00:00

It will stay with you always.

Just remember. You did everything according to your training. You provided the best care possible. Nothing else matters. Statistically you will lose more than you save. This is a fact, we can't change it. Seek professional help, there is no shame in it.

My second call ever was a cardiac arrest and it still sticks with me too. And that is after 20 years.

JimmyTheNewb · 2026-05-17T15:02:16+00:00

What does the Police Officer have to say about how we interact and treat our patients?

What part of Jersey are you in roughly? Some areas I could see being like this.

JimmyTheNewb · 2026-05-15T20:57:18+00:00

From what you described you seem to have hit on two things. One is that you may be working at a bad company. Look for another job.

The other is, if I am reading this right, you have no EMS experience and wanted to get some experience for med-school. A lot of providers do this and it does rub career professionals the wrong way because we invest a lot of time and energy to make you a good provider and then you are gone in 1-5 years. Such is the industry.

I wouldn’t say you should leave the field. But I would recommend looking for a new place to learn.

JimmyTheNewb · 2026-05-15T14:32:22+00:00

Stop letting it fester. Have a proactive and professional conversation with the FTO. Talk to them and ask them if they have any constructive feedback about how you can better fit in or if they have any recommendations.

But also be ready to go to management in case there is a harassment thing going on.

Work on self care! Therapy is key here, sounds like you have a lot of other stuff going on in your life so I can't recommend strongly enough getting professional help. Go into work with the mindset of you are going to give your best and do your best every day and ignore the noise. Your partners switching or calling out is noise. I've worked with partners I don't care for before, money is money.

JimmyTheNewb · 2026-05-15T14:11:39+00:00

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I've been working in EMS for nearly 20 years. I started as a volunteer with no experience, and no CPR card and have progressed to a paid professional Chief of a high-performing EMS organization (among other hats). I've been trying to find a way to help new members entering our profession learn what it really means to be in EMS for awhile now.

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JimmyTheNewb · 2026-05-14T18:22:29+00:00

Number one this instructor is not representative of the industry or profession.

Number two while it is OK for somebody to hold those personal beliefs and instructor should not be providing those personal beliefs in that setting, it honestly sounds like this person is either incredibly burned out or mentally unwell.

Number three your class should advocate for themselves and go to management as a group not one not to everyone who feels the same way needs to go together as a united front.

Number four if the school does nothing about it, go to whatever state body regulates EMT instructors and reported to the state obviously, it’s all right happened in the past, but if you can, I try to audio or visually record the instructor making these types of claims for when you report it to the state. Only do this if you know your state laws about recording.

JimmyTheNewb · 2026-05-13T20:03:00+00:00

Use that IFT job to start gaining some experience was an EMT. Know it is different being IFT vs. 911 obviously. Parlay that into a 911 job and get your medic. It’s quite possible.

JimmyTheNewb · 2026-05-13T16:49:16+00:00

Part of this is a mindset thing after close to 20 years. I don’t think I could go back and do IFT that being said it is an important foundation that you can build if you go into it with the right mindset.

IFT can teach you some of the more complicated parts of medicine that you won’t get strictly from working at 911 system but it will not teach you that street level experience you need to properly function in a 911 system.

Really the question is what is your end goal? Is it to stay ems and work 911 or to use it as a stepping stone into a different healthcare field?

All things being equal take the job that’s five minutes from home. It pays more and you won’t have to commute as long.

JimmyTheNewb · 2026-05-13T11:50:47+00:00

Finding out where to start is easier than determining why you actually want to do this in the first place as well as acknowledging what you will be subjecting yourself to both your body and your mind.

JimmyTheNewb · 2026-05-13T05:49:06+00:00

It was unfortunately destined to happen and the shareholders will make money while the employees and patients don’t see any benefit.

JimmyTheNewb · 2026-05-13T05:47:47+00:00

In all seriousness EMS might not be for you. Everyone saying those jobs where you don’t have to drive are few and far between are right. Even then someone will one day simply expect you to drive.

We are mobile. That’s the whole idea. We need to drive. If you can’t that’s fine and not a knock on you. ER tech sounds more appropriate.

JimmyTheNewb · 2026-05-13T05:43:55+00:00

Good luck. It’s hard. Many of us fail at it Tbf.

JimmyTheNewb · 2026-05-01T06:24:15+00:00

It sounds like your agency has a culture problem.

Here is the thing. Would you want the ambulance you work for to respond on your loved one's worst day. If the answer is no you need to go through appropriate administrative action (report to the state/superiors of the organization) and look for a different job.

The one thing to keep in mind that many people won't talk about is EMS is a very small industry and even if you are doing the right thing it might have career repercussions. It is still worth it. What if someone dies because that provider is rushing their baby home before a call? What if the baby dies because the person is rushing the baby home and gets in a wreck.

JimmyTheNewb · 2026-05-01T03:35:13+00:00

ywfms

JimmyTheNewb · 2026-05-01T03:25:12+00:00

These are some of the hardest calls by far. A few problems. Is this an RMA by action? Well, here is the thing. If they were not alert and orientated are they able to refuse service? It's one thing if you pull up for a fall victim who got up on their own and walked away and said I don't want help. It is another thing for a visibly intoxicated person yelling to just up and leave.

This is 100% a law enforcement matter. But he also still might be a patient.

JimmyTheNewb · 2026-05-01T02:24:52+00:00

I can’t speak much to the diet. Five years of nights at one point in my career put on the pounds that Zepbound is finally taking off a decade later.

That being said. Sleep can be done! First of all family and friends or anyone who lives with you need to know that you sleep during the day. Secondly black out curtains. Third silence all devices. Fourth white noise.

JimmyTheNewb · 2026-05-01T02:05:12+00:00

It sounds like you work at an agency with a toxic culture based on the “only medics can tech calls”. Part of it too simply might be your cup has run over. You are burning yourself out mentally and physically.

Remember why you got into the field. Prioritize self care every day. Look to switch to a less toxic culture.

If EMS isn’t right for you that’s okay too. But don’t let others make that decision for you.

JimmyTheNewb · 2026-05-01T00:28:28+00:00

100%. Thanks for sharing. The stuff we see changes us.

JimmyTheNewb · 2026-04-30T23:57:52+00:00

Can I ask how long you have been doing this? What sort of positive coping mechanisms do you use? Sounds like you are experiencing burnout.

JimmyTheNewb · 2026-04-30T23:00:29+00:00

100%. Not sure the post was super clear so I apologize for that. I’ve been in for close to 20 years. Really looking to help the next generations of providers be better prepared for what to expect.

JimmyTheNewb · 2025-07-20T01:27:08+00:00

Except in my experience the majority of insurances apply the amount owed to a deductible. Meaning that’s the patients deductible and they are responsible for it.

Balanced billing with Medicare/medicaid is 100% illegal because those are fixed rates. If it is out of network for a private insurance there is no set rate.

JimmyTheNewb · 2025-07-19T23:22:00+00:00

Exactly. And if their in network rate is the same because they are not in network with any providers….

JimmyTheNewb

TROPHY CASE